Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Intangible Assets

Note 3 — Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets consisted of the following:

	September 30, 2011
	Weighted
	Average		Gross
	Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated
	Period		Amount		Amortization			Net
	(In years)				(In thousands)
Rights-of-way and easements		19	$	130,217	$	(27,420	)	$	102,797
Contracts		17		108,416		(34,546	)		73,870
Customer relationships		11		4,864		(1,539	)		3,325
Total		18	$	243,497	$	(63,505	)	$	179,992

	December 31, 2010
	Weighted
	Average		Gross
	Amortization		Carrying		Accumulated
	Period		Amount		Amortization			Net
	(In years)				(In thousands)
Rights-of-way and easements		20	$	125,496	$	(23,234	)	$	102,262
Contracts		18		107,916		(25,153	)		82,763
Customer relationships		12		4,864		(1,304	)		3,560
Total		19	$	238,276	$	(49,691	)	$	188,585

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, we did not place in service any intangible assets with future renewals or extension costs. Amortization expense was $7,960,000 and $2,792,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Amortization expense was $13,814,000 and $8,354,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. During the three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $5.0 million with respect to a contract under which we provide services to Rocky Mountains producers (see Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurement” and ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” in Note 11).

Estimated aggregate amortization expense remaining for 2011 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years is approximately: 2011 — $2,974,000; 2012 — $11,969,000; 2013 — $11,796,000; 2014 — $11,518,000; 2015 — $11,457,000; and 2016 — $11,435,000.